Why do oil wells need slotted pipes?

Different types of oil need different types of equipment. We have what is called "heavy oil" in Southern California and other parts of the U.S. Heavy oil is also found in Canada, Columbia, Venezuela, Mexico, Abu Dhabi, China, Russia, Australia and Africa. Heavy oil is filled with sand and other sedimentary material. The slotted pipes are used to filter more than 98 percent of the sand out while the well is being pumped.

How do slotted pipes work?

Where is Pacific Perforating located?

Pacific Perforating is in Fellows, California, just outside of Bakersfield, in Kern County. We cover the entire state and are the California service center for Alberta, Canada based RGL Reservoir Management Inc. RGL is a leading International provider of sand control, flow distribution, custom thermal completions and downhole tool manufacturing. We are also affiliated with Redwing Perforating, in Lafayette, LA, the only other RGL service center in the U.S.

What is the difference between straight and keystone slots?

Straight slots are the same width on the outside and the inside of the pipe. The openings on the keystone slots are wider on the inside than they are on the outside. The benefit of the keystone profile, allows for the slot to be self-cleaning.

Where do the slotted pipes go?

Once the driller hits the production zone, the slotted pipes are added to the bottom of the drill casing, or pipe. In California, the actual production zones are typically found at 1,200 feet and can range in depth up to 2,200 feet.

Why are they called liners?

What is the effective lifespan of slotted liners?

When designing a slotted liner, the goal is to provide optimum slot characteristics to effectively remove the solids from the produced hydrocarbons and minimize the opportunity for the slots to plug over the lifetime of the well. Most slotted liners last as long as the well. Additionally RGL has developed the proSLOT™ Coated Slotted Liner for extended life and increased performance.

Do you do downhole perforating, too?

No. Downhole perforating is used when pumping light oil. The process is similar to "shooting" bullets down into the production zone casing to make holes in it so that the light oil can flow into it. It doesn’t work for heavy oil and we specialize in heavy oil.

Are your slotted liners used for anything else?

What size slots do you manufacture?

Our slots range in width from .010 (10,000th) of an inch up to .250 (one quarter) of an inch. The slots are usually between one and a half and two inches long. Please click on the link below for more information about slot sizes.

How many slots can you put in a slotted liner?

How do we determine exactly what we need in terms of type and size of slots?

We have the experience, the math, and the formula to help you do just that. The number of slots needed is determined by a mathematical formula that factors in four variables. Please click on the link below to find out more about the formula.